Cities are changing their skin. Today, talking about Smart Cities no longer means referring only to advanced technologies or experimental projects, but rather describing a new urban model in which data, infrastructure, and public services are integrated to tangibly improve citizens’ quality of life. Just observing how we move every day is enough to understand how central mobility has become to the functioning of cities. In this context, mobility represents one of the most important and transformative domains.
Every movement within a city generates valuable information. Traffic flows, average speeds, travel times, accidents, and the use of public transport and shared services all contribute to building a dynamic map of how urban space is experienced on a daily basis. Sensors, connected vehicles, smartphones, and digital systems feed an increasingly rich information ecosystem, enabling public administrations to observe the city in real time and intervene in a more targeted and effective way.
According to leading international analyses on Smart City development, including the IMD Smart City Index and the EY Smart City Index, the ability to collect and interpret urban data is now one of the key factors in improving the efficiency of public services and overall quality of life. Data becomes a true intangible infrastructure, comparable to physical networks, on which more effective urban policies can be built.
Smart mobility also has a direct impact on safety, sustainability, and social costs. Traffic congestion, road accidents, and pollution represent costs that are often invisible but highly significant for both citizens and public administrations. Conversely, a data-driven approach to mobility management makes it possible to reduce road accidents, cut emissions, and optimize the use of resources, contributing to more livable and resilient cities.
In this scenario, the concept of urban mobility has expanded to include electric micromobility, connected vehicles, intelligent public transport, and sharing services. Digital integration among these different modes of transport supports more flexible and multimodal systems, reducing dependence on private cars and encouraging more sustainable mobility choices.
Smart Cities are also called upon to respond to new challenges related to urban risk. Extreme weather events, infrastructure failures, or emergency situations can disrupt the continuity of essential services. The analysis of mobility and urban data helps identify critical areas, support prevention strategies, and strengthen urban resilience, improving cities’ ability to adapt to complex and evolving scenarios.
In 2025, the world’s most advanced cities demonstrate that the intelligent use of data is no longer an option, but a necessary condition for sustainable urban development. For public administrations, mobility operators, and sectors such as insurance, the Smart City represents an ecosystem in which collaboration, technology, and data converge to create shared value and address future challenges with greater awareness.
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Sources
• IMD Smart City Index 2025 – IMD World Competitiveness Center
• EY Smart City Index 2025 – EY Italy
• Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center – Smart Cities and urban innovation
• Capgemini Research Institute – Smart Cities Trends 2025